When Maurizio Sarri was appointed, Chelsea fans saw a manager who specialized in beautiful, high-tempo soccer. He resurrected a Rafa Benitez-led Napoli side and took them to 91 points in 2017-18, an all-time record for a second-place team in Serie A.

It looked as if Sarri’s magic touch had an immediate effect in England, when he started the campaign with an 18-game unbeaten run. His £52 million star signing, Jorginho, was excelling in his metronomic distribution role, while record-breaking £72 million goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga willfully obeyed the Sarri tenet of starting every play from the back.

Chelsea’s tempestuous recent results, however, have created an air of frustration around Stamford Bridge. The 6-0 shellacking at the Etihad, which extended Manchester City’s goal difference lead at the summit of the Premier League, has tested the patience of the fan base, many of whom believe “Sarriball” is doomed to fail: